Capturing complex interactions in disease ecology with simplicial sets

• Published in: Ecology letters Vol. 25; no. 10; pp. 2217 - 2231
• Main Authors: Silk, Matthew J., Wilber, Mark Q., Fefferman, Nina H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Paris Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.10.2022; Wiley
• Subjects: Biodiversity and Ecology; computer software; dose–response; ecological network; Ecological studies; ecology; Environmental Sciences; epidemiological model; higher‐order interaction; hypergraph; Infectious diseases; movement network; simplicial complex; social network; Social organization
• ISSN: 1461-023X; 1461-0248; 1461-0248
• DOI: 10.1111/ele.14079

Network approaches have revolutionized the study of ecological interactions. Social, movement and ecological networks have all been integral to studying infectious disease ecology. However, conventional (dyadic) network approaches are limited in their ability to capture higher‐order interactions. We present simplicial sets as a tool that addresses this limitation. First, we explain what simplicial sets are. Second, we explain why their use would be beneficial in different subject areas. Third, we detail where these areas are: social, transmission, movement/spatial and ecological networks and when using them would help most in each context. To demonstrate their application, we develop a novel approach to identify how pathogens persist within a host population. Fourth, we provide an overview of how to use simplicial sets, highlighting specific metrics, generative models and software. Finally, we synthesize key research questions simplicial sets will help us answer and draw attention to methodological developments that will facilitate this. We present simplicial sets as a tool to study higher‐order interactions in disease ecology focussing on applications in social, spatial and host‐pathogen networks. We synthesise key research questions simplicial sets will help us answer and highlight methodological developments that can facilitate this.